The all-new Volvo S60 executive saloon, which is due to be revealed in the next few weeks, will be the first modern Volvo to not be offered with a diesel engine.
This decision reflects falling demand for diesel cars and Volvo’s plans to switch to an all-electrified range. However, it’s still a brave move given that the S60 is aimed primarily at the company car market, where key rivals such as the Audi A4 and BMW 3 Series continue to sell best in diesel form.
The fact that the estate version of the S60, the V60, is available with diesel power, also makes the decision a surprise, although at last month’s Beijing motor show Volvo said that it’s aiming for fully electric cars to make up 50% of its sales by 2025.
Volvo’s first fully electric car, which will take the form of a family SUV, will go on sale next year, and will be joined by four others before the end of 2021.
The new S60 will initially be offered with a range of four-cylinder petrol engines as well as with two plug-in hybrid powertrains. Meanwhile, mild-hybrid S60s with an electric motor that can assist the petrol engine but not power the car on its own, will follow next year.
